Whereas the United States is saturated with music awards shows — the Grammys, the American Music Awards, the MTV Music Video Awards — Canadian artists don’t have as many opportunities to thank God and get cut off by ceremony music when their speech runs too long.

So, when awards shows like the Canadian Urban Music Awards roll around, the honour becomes much more prestigious.

Presented by the Urban Music Association of Canada, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building the profile of Canadian urban music, the CUMAs go down Monday (28th November 2005) and Tuesday (29th November 2005) in Toronto.

This year’s nominees have been instrumental in carving out a distinct niche for Canadian urban music and include k-os, Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall and K’naan. Comedian Russell Peters hosts and a roster of celebrity presenters including Olympic champion Donovan Bailey, WWE’s Trish Stratus, R&B artist Ginuwine and rappers Obie Trice and CL Smooth will give out awards.